Reviews of Chobe Princesses
Wildlife sightings and reviews
71 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Chobe Princesses and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Chobe Princesses review"
The wide waters and open plains along the river kept the middays cooler and the nights milder, and made a breeze almost always available to help. The staff were kind, genuine, friendly, and knowledgeable. The motorboat 'game cruises' gave us a totally different view of many animals we'd seen on our overland safaris -- often wonderfully different, closer, at eye level, with rich and varied behaviors. The rooms are comfortable, clean, quiet, and cozy, with a lovely shower and thoughtful appointments. And the food was superb, diverse, delicious, and beautifully presented.
We were concerned that two nights would be too little, but it was just right. Though the boat-cruise game viewing is amazing, it has a less diverse palette of habitats to view. The shady steep wooded banks were especially rich in birds and lounging crocs; the open savannas and pans along the river bank gave wonderful views of elephants, ungulates, and baboons coming down to drink, or (for the elephants, ford and swim snorkel-style across). The hippo viewing is superior.
But the boat necessarily covers a limited stretch of the banks, and several nearby channels -- this is not a long boat journey down a wild river through jungle, papyrus marsh, and dusty veld, but a rich, small microcosm near a convenient town with lovely coffee-shops and a usefully-sized and efficient airport. This was the perfect wind-down and reprise for our trip; it might be a useful introduction before heading out overland to 'rough it' in the wild." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana; 2n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
1 sighting
"Chobe Princesses review"
The houseboat was beautiful and the food excellent. The Chef, Ellis worked pure magic from her kitchen. We stayed in a beautiful room at the bow of the boat. From the comfort of the king sized bed or chairs on our balcony, we could watch wildlife grazing by the river, hippos bobbing in the water and birds diving for prey.
The game drives (cruises) were amazing. Lots of wildlife including lions to be seen from the water. The huge amount of elephants and their antics at Elephant Bay were a favourite along with several water crossings during which only the tips of trunks could be seen. This is a great location for bird watching too with a vast variety seen.
The Chobe Princess offers three optional game drives per day. As a photographer, I would prefer two with extended times. I'm sure this would have been negotiable but we were hesitant to ask as we were not the only persons this would affect.
This was our second time wildlife cruising on the Chobe River and we would not hesitate to do it again." See all these reviews: 5n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Charming Chobe Princess III"
There was a wide variety of birdlife, from tiny malachite kingfishers to large storks and herons (especially all the storks competing for nesting spaces in the bushes in the middle of the rapids). Large crocodiles were also plentiful.
We saw a leopard lurking in a tree on the banks, then stalking in the bushes behind some small baby elephants, before being spotted and fleeing, with adult elephants in hot pursuit.
Another highlight was watching several troops of baboons, and not least a group of lionesses conducting an extended (unsuccessful) hunt for baboons along the river bank with much alarm barking and acrobatic displays by these baboons in the trees." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 4n in Namibia
Buffalo
10 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
10 sightings
"Chobe Princesses review"
The room was comfortable and well equipped. The crew was helpful, knowledgable, and kind. We were surprised at how wonderful the food was with excellent service.
Most of the game viewing was excellent though sometimes the animals were somewhat far from the smaller boats. Birding was a highlight." See all these reviews: 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Namibia
Buffalo
2 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Sitatunga
Multiple sightings
"Chobe Princess Review"
Buffalo
10 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
6 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Chobe Princesses review"
This year, there were great guests as well----all turned out to be Australian judges--Mike is also a lawyer---they were far from boring but were great fun and we had some very intelligent conversations as well----they were great travelling companions
Our room seemed better than before---larger with lots of cupboards and the lovely french doors onto out own private balcony!
One thing to mention:
In Feb 2012, each couple had their own private tender + driver
Since the boat is now owned by the Zambezi Queen (previously it was called the Ichobezi), there are only 2 x boats available for water excursions
One tender is for only 2 people and is not covered----this was luckily our tender
The only other tender was for a max of 6 people, which suited our situation fine, as there were 6 Australians travelling together---this was a covered boat
We would not have been so pleased had we had to share the large tender with 4 other people to be honest----for one thing, I have to stop every now and then to go to the loo---as I have a loo problem---and that would have been awkward for me
The other thing, that doesn't particularly bother us, was that our tender for just the 2 of us was not covered---and some of the
Australian guests in the larger tender, said that they could not have coped in an uncovered boat---and I can see their point to be
honest
I think that as previously, when not owned by the Zambezi Queen, there should be a tender for each couple or whatever
Staff and food were superb + the copious amounts of wine consumed!
Although in Sept 20" See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 6n in Mozambique; 3n in Namibia; 3n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Buffalo
1 sighting
Elephant
1 sighting
Hippo
1 sighting
" Chobe Princess was a highlight of our trip"
The food and drink were excellent an we always seemed to be eating. All the staff were very friendly and nothing was too much trouble. The two top decks were very comfortable and gave great views over the Chobe and river and park and communal lands on each side.
Our itinerary was after going on board we had a drink, were shown around our cabin then had a leisurely lunch as we cruised slowly up river to our mooring location. We then went for a pleasant sunset cruise on the small tender boat and saw a lot of the elephants that Chobe is famous for. The next morning we had a sunrise cruise again in one of the small boats with one other couple. After breakfast we went on our own on a birding boat trip while the other passengers went on a game viewing trip on the other small boat. Back for lunch as we cruised slowly further up the Chobe river. After lunch there was another game viewing sunset trip that included a spectacular viewing of a leopard drinking at the waters edge. A wonderful day during which we were accompanied by Raymond, a great guide with a passion for birds.
The next morning as we cruised back to Kasane we were sad to leave our houseboat." See all these reviews: 24n in Namibia
Buffalo
5 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Chobe Princess"
The 3 Princesses slowly cruise down the river to set moorings against the river bank and they move to another spot every day. They do not travel huge distances so do not expect that. They are also not allowed to moor or go on the Batswanan side of the river. The only excursions offered were the village visit or tender trips: fishing was not offered to our boat. These limited activities did not bother us at all but might disappoint others.
From the Princess you get in tenders which cruise down the river spotting whatever you can along the way. Each trip was different. We saw many birds, kudu, impala, crocodiles, hippos etc from the water. The highlight was watching many elephants walking along the riverbank at sunset and then swimming across the river for better feeding. Taking advice from previous reviews I had requested, and received, the photographic boat which has 6 fixed spaces for cameras although several were not working. We had a lovely trip the afternoon we joined and we stayed out for sunset. The next day we had an early morning trip, back for breakfast and then another trip afterwards with a further trip in the afternoon/evening. On the morning of departure the Princess slowly cruised back to the home mooring and we were off the boat at around 10am.
The guides were knowledgeable and respectful of the wildlife (unlike some others on the river!). The boat staff were lovely and around when needed but not obtrusive. The food was very tasty indeed and wine and beer plentiful.
The Princess has a small plunge pool on the front deck which was wonderful for dangling our toes in to cool down. There is a generous seating area inside as well as on the outside deck. Numerous books and games were available.
We really enjoyed our stay, it was relaxing, it suited us and was a great way to begin this holiday." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana; 4n in Namibia
Buffalo
7 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The highlight of our trip"
Overall, I cannot recommend this experience highly enough, we shall certainly return." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Chobe Princesses review"
We weren't offered any other activities, such as fishing from a smaller boat. We suspect that because there was a larger group of seven AustralIans aboard the activity was centred on what they wanted and we were expected to tag along. We didn't see a lot of game on the riverbank but this was not an issue as we had already seen plenty in the Delta. The high water levels also restricted the movement of some of the wildlife - we were told that large herds of elephants regularly cross the river when the water level is lower.
Having said that, the bird life was exceptional and the scenery and sunsets spectacular.l" See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Namibia
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